TORONTO (AP) – Coronavirus infections set new one-day highs in six Canadian provinces Wednesday, prompting several provinces to impose more restrictions in hopes of containing the spread of the Omicron variant. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
Brunei Darussalam adds five new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, including two imported cases, bringing the total number of cases to 15,470, according to the Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham bin Hj Jaafar at a press conference.
The number of new cases is the result of 2,681 laboratory tests conducted in the past 24 hours. Therefore, the rate of positive case is 0.2%.
Among the cases being treated at the National Isolation Centre, there is no case is in Category 4 (requiring oxygen assistance and under close monitoring) and one case is still in Category 5 (requiring assistance of artificial ventilation and an additional heart/lung machine, ECMO at the Intensive Care Unit).
7 cases have recovered on Thursday, bringing the total number of recovered cases in Brunei Darussalam to 15,272 cases and the total active cases are 98 cases.
Meanwhile, the bed occupancy rate in isolation centres nationwide is 2.6%.
As of yesterday, 29 December 2021, the overall rate of the population who have received at least one dose of the vaccine is 94.5%; The rate of those who have received two doses ofthe vaccine is 93.3%; while the rate of those who have received three doses of the vaccine is 19.5%.
More details on Friday’s Borneo Bulletin
Full video of today’s Press Conference can be viewed on our Instagram page.
JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israel unveiled a package of “confidence-building measures” for the occupied West Bank yesterday, after Defence Minister Benny Gantz hosted talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (AP pic below) on his first visit in years.
Abbas, leading a high-ranking delegation on his first visit to Israel for an official meeting since 2010, held talks with Gantz at his home in the central town of Rosh HaAyin, according to Israeli sources and media.
“We discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures, and emphasised the importance of deepening security coordination and preventing terror and violence – for the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians,” Gantz said after the meeting on Tuesday evening.
Yesterday, Israel’s Defence Ministry announced “confidence-building measures” with the Palestinian Authority (PA).
These included a USD32 million advance payment to the PA in taxes collected on its behalf by Israel, and the granting of 600 extra permits allowing Palestinian businessmen to cross into Israel.
It also announced the regularisation of 6,000 more Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank, which has been under Israeli control since the Six-Day War of 1967.
Israel had already announced in October – for the first time since 2009 – the regularisation of the status of 4,000 Palestinians living in the large swathe of the West Bank known as Area C, where Israel exercises civilian as well as military control.
Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the meeting with Gantz, saying it had been a “serious and courageous effort” towards a “political” solution.
“The meeting dealt with the importance of creating a political horizon that leads to a political solution, in accordance with international resolutions,” Sheikh said.
After Israel’s coalition government led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was formed in June, Gantz had visited the PA’s headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah in August for talks with Abbas.
Azlan Othman
The COVID-19 Steering Committee agreed to temporarily omit all countries from the Travel Green List following the current COVID-19 situation, particularly the rise of cases in several countries and the threat from the Omicron variant.
No countries will be placed in the Travel Green List from January 1, 2022.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah said this at the daily press conference yesterday.
In a press release on December 12, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that from January 1, 2022, citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam and foreign nationals who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations are permitted to exit the country for non-essential travel via air transportation to countries on the Travel Green List – Australia, China, Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK).
However on December 22, the UK was taken off from Brunei’s Travel Green List for non-essential travel effective immediately.
The COVID-19 Steering Committee made the decision following the rapid spread of Omicron in the UK.
The minister said yesterday that before entering Brunei Darussalam, all travellers are required to undergo an RT-PCR test 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin, without the need to undergo an antigen rapid test (ART).
All individuals are also required to undergo mandatory self-isolation at designated hotels only.
All inbound travellers are required to undergo an ART test upon arrival in the country as well as an RT-PCR test on the fifth day post-arrival at the Sports Complex, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
Essential outbound travel is allowed for citizens and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination within 14 days to three months (and no longer six months) prior to departure or for those who have received a booster dose.
Foreigners wishing to enter the Sultanate for essential purposes are still required to obtain Entry Travel Pass approval. Meanwhile, citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam wishing to exit the country for essential travel are required to obtain exit-travel approval. For guidelines and online application forms, the public can visit the PMO website.
The conditions for the consideration of entry and exit travel are subject to review by the Steering Committee for COVID-19 from time to time. For inquiries, contact 120 or e-mail travelapplication@jpm.gov.bn (for Exit Travel applications) and infoentrytravel@immigration.gov.bn (for Entry Travel Pass approvals).
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (AP) – A crew cutting down a dying oak at the University of Nebraska made a surprising find – flying squirrels.
A video shot by a member of the crew made its way to Larkin Powell, a conservation biology professor. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that he was surprised by what he saw – the only remaining Nebraska population of the nocturnal and tiny animals was 90 miles away in Nebraska’s southeast corner, near Indian Cave State Park.
It turns out the flying squirrels had been living undetected – until now – in the treetops just above the animal experts at the university’s School of Natural Resources in Lincoln. The crew made the discovery earlier this month, the newspaper reported.
Powell was surprised by their presence, if not by their elusiveness.
“It’s among the species that’s harder to document because they’re not out when people are around,” he said. “And they’re little dudes.”
The National Wildlife Federation said on its website that flying squirrels don’t really power themselves into flight like a bird or a bat, but rather glide. The federation said the southern flying squirrel is found throughout the eastern United States (US), while the northern flying squirrel is found primarily in the Northeast, along the West Coast, and into Idaho and Montana.
Still, Shaun Dunn, a natural heritage zoologist for the state of Nebraska, was not surprised by the Lincoln flying squirrels. He has documented 15 confirmed sightings since 2018.
Dunn isn’t sure how the flying squirrels got to Lincoln but said it’s “very unlikely they made it here on their own”.
Don Althoff, who earned his master’s degree at the university in 1978 and is now a semi-retired wildlife conservation professor at Ohio’s University of Rio Grande, has been studying southern flying squirrels for nearly 30 years. He’s watched them glide 40, 50, even 75 yards.
Though graceful in the air, the animals are awkward on the ground. Because their sail-like flaps run from wrist to ankle he said they move more like a hobbled horse.
Azlan Othman
Over 100 companies have withdrawn their registration from the Registrar of Companies and Business Names (ROCBN) from January until November period due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact.
This was announced by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah at the daily press conference yesterday.
Some 50 companies de-registered from ROCBN in the first and second quarter of the year, which is before the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak.
“We do not know the reasons why those companies de-registered. It could be that they are inactive,” the minister said.
“Statistics have also shown that in the third quarter (July to September) this year, over 10 companies have also de-registered. For October and November this year, some 61 companies have de-registered,” he added.
Figures for the third quarter of the year will be released soon, while figures for the fourth quarter has been monitored.
Despite losing a significant number of businesses, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said that the Sultanate recorded positive gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the non-oil and gas sector, especially in agriculture.
However, the oil and gas sector has shown a downward trend in the first and second quarter of the year.
The minister said, “The oil and gas sector is affected due to restrictions following COVID-19 pandemic, especially in manpower, thus affecting operations.
“With the nation in the early Endemic Phase and businesses starting to re-open, we hope to see encouraging recovery in the GDP growth.”
Meanwhile, over 240 companies have applied for wage subsidy during the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak. Out of the number, over 80 per cent or around 1,500 employees were granted approval for the wage subsidy, while the rest of the applicants did not meet the criteria.
The minister added that 426 individuals, who were affected with having to take unpaid leaves during restrictions, had been paid with some 480 applications were approved.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (AP) – The big waves are returning to Walt Disney World.
The theme park resort said on Tuesday that it will re-open its Typhoon Lagoon water park after an almost two-year hiatus.
The water park closed in March 2020 as the coronavirus started spreading throughout the United States (US). While Disney World’s other theme parks re-opened in summer 2020 with virus safety protocols in place, the water park stayed closed.
Visitors to Typhoon Lagoon will be able to swim in its massive wave pool, slide down its water coaster and meander down its lazy river starting on Sunday.
James Kon
Eleven members of Class of 1964 of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) College walked down memory lane during their Alumni 64 Reunion at the college’s Class of ‘64 Library yesterday.
The attendees were Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, Pengiran Indera Perkasa Pengiran Haji Hamdan bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Ahmad bin Dato Paduka Matnor, Dato Seri Paduka Haji Eusoff Agaki bin Haji Ismail, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Haji Sharbini bin Haji Sunggoh, Pengiran Datin Hajah Siti Mariam binti PRW Pengiran Haji Metussin, Hajah Noriah binti Haji Mohd Abbas, Hajah Nellie binti Dato Paduka Haji Sunny, Tan Mai Lin, Tan Chui Gee, Haji Nordin bin Dato Paduka Haji Wahab and Robert Lee Fook Ping.
The alumni reminisced fond memories, shared laughter and caught up on one another’s latest development. The ceremony started with a recitation of Tahlil, followed by a luncheon.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah are also members of Alumni 64 of SOAS College.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong is also part of the Class of ‘64.
The Class of ‘64 Library is a dedication from the Alumni of Form 4 Arts 1964 SOAS College to His Majesty on the occasion of His Majesty’s 60th birthday celebration. It serves as a leading library in providing information and resources relating to His Majesty.
The library features His Majesty’s gallery, books, journals, Class of ‘64 publications and other materials.
SYDNEY (AP) – Coronavirus cases surged across Australia yesterday as an outbreak of the Omicron variant exploded, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to schedule an emergency national Cabinet meeting.
The surge has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and caused at least one state to cut back on elective surgeries.
New infections in Sydney and surrounding parts of New South Wales state skyrocketed to more than 11,000, up from 6,000 a day earlier. Victoria state also reported a record 3,700 cases, up by more than 1,000 from the previous record set on Tuesday.
Morrison said the nation’s leaders would meet ahead of schedule today.
“As Omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges,” Morrison told reporters.
He said he hoped the meeting would help give a clearer definition on what constituted a close contact and which tests should be used in different circumstances as case numbers ballooned.
Other states also reported surging numbers, with more than 1,500 new infections in Queensland, 1,400 in South Australia, 138 in the Australian Capital Territory and 55 in Tasmania. Queensland health officials said about 80 per cent of cases were the
Omicron variant.
Neighbouring New Zealand also reported its first case of possible community exposure to Omicron, when a returning traveller tested positive after leaving quarantine. However, health authorities said the traveller wasn’t considered highly infectious and there was no evidence yet of any community spread.
South Australia announced it would place limits on elective surgery and mandate vaccine booster shots for frontline healthcare workers.
State Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia would no longer be conducting screening tests for interstate travel because it doesn’t have the capacity.
“Omicron is moving too quickly,” Marshall said, adding that resources needed to be focused on the “very imminent” increase in hospitalisations.
More than three-quarters of Australians are fully vaccinated, and just how deadly the latest outbreak will prove remains to be seen.
Fadhil Yunus
The national football team will be expected to make their debut appearance in the upcoming Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship 2022 following an official draw ceremony in Singapore yesterday.
The young Wasps are poised to meet Cambodia, Timor Leste and Philippines in Group ‘A’ while Group B pit Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Laos. Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore complete Group C.
Teams were ranked based on the previous edition of the tournament in 2019.
The premier tournament for under-23 national teams in Southeast Asia will see Cambodia play host for the second consecutive time from February 14 to 26 next year. Matches will take centre stage at the Morodok Techno Stadium and Prince Stadium.
Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan said, “As a member of AFF, it is obligatory to participate in this tournament.”
He added, “It was earlier informed to all members that this tournament is used as a warm-up and trial for Cambodia hosting the Southeast Asian Games.”
He said preparations had commenced and officials and players had been called up.
“However, with the current situation, it had thrown preparations into chaos to the extent that FABD had to withdraw from the Suzuki Cup.”
“While other teams are in full preparations, we are in a dilemma. We’ll keep trying to maximise whatever can be done.
He concluded, “We’ll do our best and we have to be realistic. Our players deserve more and let’s hope we can prepare and train properly.”
Meanwhile, AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth said, “In just over a month from now, the AFF Under-23s will kick off and fans in our region will again be on their toes cheering on their favourite national under-23 teams.
He added, “We are all eagerly looking forward to this exciting competition that will feature the region’s future stars.”
The president highlighted that the AFF Under-23 Championship will be a permanent fixture in the competition calendar.
“This age-group competition will complement the existing programmes of the Southeast Asian teams and help them prepare for key competitions including the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games.”
AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth and AFF Vice President Dato’ Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay conducted the draw.
